Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan | Contributed family photo
Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan | Contributed family photo
Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly took to Twitter today to note the death of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.
“Sad news about former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan’s passing, following his long, brave fight against multiple health issues," Reilly posted. "We disagreed on plenty, but I believe he served Illinois honorably & with integrity. It was an honor to have known him and may he Rest In Peace."
Ryan was the last Republican attorney general of Illinois, serving from 1995 until 2002.
"Jim was too honest and authentic for a career in politics but he was as good a public servant as Illinois has ever known," said John Pearman, a longtime top aide for Ryan in the Attorney General's Office. "He never stopped trying to help people -- women, children, crime victims. He was tireless and incorruptible.”
Ryan campaigned for governor in 2002, but was defeated by Rod Blagojevich, who was later imprisoned for attempting to exchange a U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Barack Obama following his election.
In 2010, he tried a return in another run for the governorship, according to Ballotpedia, but finished fourth behind front-runner Bill Brady, who ultimately lost to Pat Quinn.
Lisa Madigan, whose campaign was substantially supported by her father Michael Madigan, who according to the Department of Justice is facing 22 counts of public indictment, followed Ryan as attorney general.
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